Plaited Braid Stitch Revisited, from the Experts

A while ago, I was exploring the Plaited Braid Stitch, a rather intricate looking embroidery stitch found on historical pieces, usually as vines and scrolls and so forth. Dissatisfied with the basic instructions found for this stitch in regular stitch dictionaries, I wanted to figure it out so that I could work it with ease…

Thanks to a friend, I was able to get my hands on a copy of an article from Fine Lines magazine by Leon Conrad. Then I went in search of the gold thread – Mr. Conrad suggests the #371 imitation gold. I found the gold first at a shop called Criss Cross Row, the service was bad and I never received my order!

Tanja Berlin, however, was able to order it from her supplier, and now she carries it: Standard Lurex Thread No. 371.

But what I’m really getting at is this: Plimoth Plantation! If you want to check out the plaited braid and their exploration of it, there’s a great post on plaited braid stitch with photos of the stitch worked in different metal threads.

The Gilt-on-Silk and the Gilt-on-Synthetic both look G-R-E-A-T. And the 2% gold passing doesn’t look bad, either. In fact, I’m not that impressed with the 371, but I’m still going to try that thread! Click on the pictures for close-ups.

While you’re there, read their post on goldwork needles as well. Hand-made needles work best for gold threads. If you’re looking for a source, I got mine through the JEC.

Anyway, I was really excited to see that post on the plaited braid stitch!

Coming up this week: March Embroidery Stash giveaway! and a stitch video… and some pictures of my latest projects. And…. a reader’s embroidery! Yes, busy week! Time to get the camera out!